No images found for this plant ID: 7807.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "7807" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
woolly distaff thistle
Scientific Name: Carthamus lanatus ssp. lanatus
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Woolly Distaff Thistle (Carthamus lanatus)
Woolly distaff thistle, scientifically known as Carthamus lanatus, is a thistle species with several common names, including downy safflower, saffron thistle, woolly safflower, woolly starthistle, and simply distaff thistle.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is spiny, which may pose a risk of injury to pets.
Considerations for Children
- This plant is spiny, which may pose a risk of injury to children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carthamus lanatus L.
- Family: Asteraceae
- Subspecies: Carthamus lanatus ssp. creticus (L.) Holmboe
- Synonyms: distaff thistle, saffron thistle.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Mediterranean region and central Europe.
Ecological Role
- Considered an aggressive rangeland pest that displaces forage plants.
- Woolly distaff thistle is not grazed by domestic animals or wildlife.
Morphological Characteristics
- Winter annual forb that can grow up to 3.3 ft (1 m) tall.
- Stems are straw colored, often covered with woolly, cobwebby hairs, especially in leaf axils.
- Leaves are alternate, pinnate, and stiff, with marginal and terminal spines.
- Flowerheads are solitary, at stem tips, composed of many yellow flowers.
- Bracts at the base of flowerheads are spiny.
Additional Information
- USDA PLANTS Symbol: CALA20
- Further information can be found at Weed Science (wsweedscience.org) or the California Invasive Species Council (cal-ipc.org).
- Images available on CalPhotos.